Carton flap folding mechanism

ABSTRACT

A machine for forming and sealing a carton from a flat carton blank. The carton is formed by a mandrel in cooperation with a guide means which are positioned adjacent the path of movement of the mandrel. A conveyor also assists in formation of the carton around the mandrel. The mandrel is removed from the carton and after filling the carton is closed and sealed.

United States Patent 1 Langen et al.

CARTON FLAP FOLDING MECHANISM Inventors: Jacobus Joseph Langen; MarinusJacobus Maria Langen, both of Rexdale, Ontario; Ernest Topler,

Toronto, all of Canada Assignee: American Can Company, New

York, NY.

Filed: Dec. 18, 1970 Appl. No.: 99,504

Related U.S. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 822,778, March 6,1969, abandoned.

U.S. Cl ..53/209, 53/374, 93/49 R, 270/80 Int. Cl ..B65b 7/20, B31b l/54Field of Search ..53/75, 76, 137, 138 R, 209, 53/374-379; 93/49 R, 49AC, 49 M; 270/61 R, 80

[ 1 Feb. 20, 1973 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,839,9726/1958 Labombarde ..93/49 R 2,935,832 5/1960 ..53/374 3,067,556 12/1962Neer .93/49 R X 3,350,841 11/1967 McDonald ..53/374 X PrimaryExaminer-Robert C. Riordon Assistant Examiner-Neil Abrams Attorney-LouisF. Heeb et al.

[5 7 ABSTRACT A machine for forming and sealing a carton from a flatcarton blank. The carton is formed by a mandrel in cooperation with aguide means which are positioned adjacent the path of movement of themandrel. A conveyor also assists in formation of the carton around themandrel. The mandrel is removed from the carton and after filling thecarton is closed and sealed.

2 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures PATENTEnrzazolsza 3,716,962-

SHEET OlUF 1o INVENTORS JACOBUS JOSEPH LANGEN HARINUS JACOBUS MARIALANGEN ERNEST TOPLER ATTORNEY ER EST TOPLER MARINUS JACOBUS MARIA LANGENPATiNmrmozm sum 02 0F 10 FA 3 MI...

.0, AT TORNEY PATENTED 3.716.962

sum 03 0F 10 FIG. 3

INVENTORS JACOBUS JOSEPH LANGEN MARINUS JACOBUS MARIA LANGEN ERNE TTOPLER ATTORNEY PATENTED FEBZO I973 sum 05 or 10 IN JOSEPH 0B JACOBUSMARINUS JAC I LIJIIIP FI IUI SHEET U7UF 1O PATENTED FEB 2 0 I973INVENTORS JACOBUS JOSEPH LANGEN MARINUS JACOBUS MARIA LANGEN ERNESTTOPLER PATENTEDFEBZOIEJH $716,962

SHEET U8UF 10 F/6./5 FIG/6 I N VEN TORS JACOBUS JOSEPH LANGEN MARlNUSJACOBUS MARIA LANGEN BY ERNESI TOPLER AT TORNEY PATENTEUFEB2019733,716,962

- SHEET U8UF1O FIG. /9 w y 4 a F s 1 FIG. 20

,- n 4 I94" I I I M I I /4/ O 35- INVENTORS JACOBUS JOSEPH LANGENMARINUS JACOBUS MARIA LANGEN BY I EFBWPLER ATTORNEY PATENTEDFEBZOW3,716,962

SHEET 1 0 OF 10 A5! F I6. 22

13 DL oD o o' '1 INVENTORS JACOBUS JOSEPH LANGEN MARINUS JACOBUS MARIALANGEN B ERNEST TOPLER I a I A! IORNEY CARTON FLAP FOLDING MECHANISMThis application is a division of co-pending application Ser. No.822,778, filed Mar. 6, 1969, now abandoned. Application Ser. No. 822,778is a division of copending application Ser. No. 588,434, filed Oct. 21,1966 which issued on Aug. 19, 1969 as US. Pat. No. 3,461,642.

The present invention relates to a machine and method for forming andsealing cartons.

According to the present invention, a flat carton blank is made into aformed and sealed carton. The carton is made from sheet material,preferably paperboard, and is used for packaging food products such asfrozen foods, which are sold to consumers in supermarkets.

A preferred practice in present day packaging methods is manufacturingcarton blanks and shipping them to a packer in flat form. The packer,with suitable machinery, transforms the flat blank into a formed,filled, and sealed package for distribution to consumers. To practicethis preferred packaging method, the packer must have a machine whicheificiently forms, fills, and seals the cartons.

Another important consideration in packaging is economy in packagingcosts. Packaging costs are reduced by using a minimum of material formaking a particular package. Such a carton is shown in FIG. 1 of thedrawings and this carton may be described as an envelope-type package.It will be observed that the carton may be formed from a generallyrectangular sheet of paperboard somewhat like a mailing envelope. Thereis a minimum of overlapping between edges of the sealed carton and thereis a minimum of waste material which must be cut away in order to formthe carton blank. Such a carton has been described in the US. Pat. toBonini et al. No. 2,852,133 owned by the assignee of the presentinvention.

Although the economics of the envelope-type carton is well-known,nevertheless, the carton has not met wide spread acceptance because ofthe lack of a suitable machine for forming and sealing the carton. TheBonini patent, for example, uses a gummed label to overlie and seal thetriangular closure flaps of the carton. The gummed label adds to thecomplexity of forming and sealing the package and subtracts from theeconomy of the envelope-type package.

The present invention provides a machine and method for forming andsealing an envelope-type carton. The machine runs continuously and setsup the flat blank into a formed carton ready for filling (which may bedone by hand). After filling, the closure flaps receive adhesive and themachine seals the closure flaps of the carton.

An object of the present invention is to provide a machine and methodfor forming and sealing cartons.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine andmethod for forming and sealing an envelope-type package.

Other and further objects of the present invention will occur to oneskilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been chosen forpurposes of description and illustration and is shown in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view, in perspective, illustrating thestep-by-step method according to the present invention for transforminga flat carton blank (upper left) into a formed and sealed carton (lowerright);

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention illustrating stations 1 through 7 of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken through line 3-3 of FIG. 2 to illustratethe mechanisms for feeding carton blanks and for beginning the formingoperations;

FIG. 3a is an elevation view partly broken away of the reduction gearfor driving the stacking chain;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary views illustrating in sequence themovement of a carton blank from the feeding station to the mandrel pickup station, and from the pick up station through the guide rails to themain conveyor; FIG. 5, in addition, illustrates the first gluingoperation for forming the receptacle portion of the carton;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the stacking mechanism for feedingcarton blanks to the forming portion of the machine;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the mechanism for transposing thecarton blanks from the carton blank feeding station to the mandrel pickup station;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of guide rails which control the movementof the carton blank from the mandrel pick up station to the mainconveyor of the machine;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are detailed views illustrating the interaction betweenthe carton blank and the carton mandrel at the mandrel pick up station;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the construction of the mainconveyor of the machine;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the carton forming mandrel;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view illustrating the action of the cartonforming mandrel as it contracts and lifts out of a formed carton;

FIG. 14 is a continuation of FIG. 2 illustrating in side elevationstations 7 through 10 of the carton forming machine of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 15-18 are schematic sequence views of a mechanism for closing thetrailing flap of the carton;

FIG. 19 is a section view taken through line l9-19 of FIG. 14 toillustrate the mechanism for applying hot melt to the closure flaps ofthe present invention;

FIG. 20 is a section view taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19 toillustrate in side elevation the mechanism for pre-breaking the backclosure flap of the carton and the mechanism for applying glue to theside closure flaps of the carton.

FIGS. 21-22 are schematic views showing the sequence for applying glueto the closure flaps; and

FIG. 23 is a continuation of FIG. 14 illustrating in side elevationstation 11 of the machine.

CARTON FIG. 1 illustrates the kind of carton formed and sealed by themachine according to the present invention. As shown in the upper lefthand corner of FIG. 1, a blank of sheet material 1, preferablypaperboard, is cut and scored to form a carton blank. The carton blankincludes a receptacle portion defined by a bottom panel 2 connected byscored lines 3-6 to four side walls 7-10. The receptacle portionincluding the bottom panel and the side walls is closed by means of fourtriangular closure flaps 11-14, each connected by a scored line 15-18 toa side wall. Four dust flaps 19-22 provide for securing the side wallstogether in upstanding fashion when the carton is formed. At the lowerright hand corner of FIG. 1 the formed carton 1 is illustrated. Thecarton is sealed by securing the overlapping closure flaps 11-14 to eachother along marginal edges. In this manner, the carton is tightly sealedto preserve the contents and present an attractive appearance.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF MACHINE OPERATION FIG. 1 illustrates in schematicfashion the method of transforming the blank into a carton which methodis preferably performed by the machine of the present invention. Whilethe description of the machine refers to stations, it is to beunderstood that the machine runs continuously; and the machine forms andseals the carton at these various stations or locations. Reference tostations, therefore, does not mean that the machine moves intermittentlyor is indexed from station to station in forming and sealing the carton.

"Stations 1 and 2 are illustrated in FIG. 1 and indicate movement of thecarton blank 1 from a hopper or stacked position (station 1) to amandrel pick up station 2. A carton forming mandrel 25 engages the frontwall 10 of the carton blank at the mandrel pick up station 2.

Together the carton blank 1 and forming mandrel 25 to meet a cartonforming conveyor 26 at station 3 where carton formation begins. Atstation 3, a pair of spaced lugs 27 on the carton forming conveyor 26set up the front and rear walls 10 and 8 of the carton 1.

After joinder, the conveyor and the mandrel move the carton to station 4where the side walls 7 and 9 of the carton receive spots of glue 28 forsecuring the side walls 7-10 and the dust flaps 19-22. A nozzle 29deposits each spot of glue 28 on each side wall 7 and 9 adjacent eachdust flap. A pair of rotating arms 30 tuck the rear dust flaps l9 and 22behind a pair of guide rails 31' to position them inside the side walls7 and 9.

After the glueis applied, the carton moves to station where the sidewalls 7 and 9 of the carton are plowed up by guide rails 32, whichcooperate with the side faces of the mandrel 25 and the conveyor lugs 27to secure the side walls 7 and 9 to the dust flaps 19-22 and form thereceptacle portion of the carton.

At station 6, the side closure flaps 11 and 13 are plowed out of thewayby suitable guide rails 33 so that the carton is in best position forreceiving a pouch 34 containing a food product at station 7. It will beobserved also at station 6 that the carton forming mandrel 25 lifts outof the carton and continues in its return orbit to pick up a subsequentblank for repetition of the carton forming operation.

After filling, the carton moves to station 8 where the trailing closureflap 14 is folded along its scored line 18. Next the carton moves tostation 9 where the side closure flaps 11 and 13 are guided into uprightposition for receiving a stripof closure glue. The glue is applied bynozzles 35 along the marginal edges 11a and 13a of the side closureflaps. After gluing, the carton moves to station where the closure flaps11 and 13 are plowed to a closure position and sealed by suitable guiderails 36.

A At station ll, the sealed carton is delivered from the machine.

CARTON BLANK STACKING AND FEED STATION 1 As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and4, the carton blanks 1 are stacked at station 1 and move one by one tostation 2 for pick up by the carton forming mandrel 25.

A novel arrangement for stacking the cartons at station I has beendevised and will be described in detail to give full appreciation of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the carton blanks 1 are stacked on a pair ofchains 40 which engage the notches 20a and 21a in the carton blanksunder the lower dust flaps 20 and 21. This engagement is shown in brokenlines in FIG. 3. A pair of spaced pins 41 support the front end of thecarton stack 1 and a suitable weight 42 prevents collapse of the rearsection of the carton stack 1.

The feed of the carton blanks is continuous in nature and is notaffected by the weight or number of stacked carton blanks at station 1.To accomplish this, the stacking chains 40 move continuously at a slowrate of speed in timed relation with the movement of other machinecomponents. In this manner, after the leading carton blank leaves thestack, the remainingblanks advance as a unit on the'slowly moving stackchains 40. The rear end weight 42, mounted on a rail 43, moves freelywith and stabilizes the diminishing stack.

The stacking chains are best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6. Each chain40 (FIG. 6) is mounted for rotation on a sprocket 45 and a guide plate46. The guide plate 46 absorbs the weight of the carton blanks upon thechain and keeps the chain in taut condition. The sprocket 45 and guideplate 46 are mounted in a suitable manner on the machine frame by asupport rod 47 and a drive shaft 48. An adjustable arm 49 fixes theguide plate 46 to the drive shaft 48.

The slow movement of the stack chains 40, is accomplished by a reductiongear 50 best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 3a. The reduction gear 50receives input power from a chain and sprocket 51 and 52 and deliverspower at a reduced speed to the drive shaft 48 for the stacking chainsprockets. The input sprocket 51- carriesv a pair of pinions 53 and 54which are pressed together on a shaft 55 by a suitable spring 56. Eachpinion 53 and 54 meshes with and orbits around apair of larger gears 57and 58 as the input sprocket 52 rotates during machine operation. Theouter gear 58 is fixed to the machine housing and does not rotate. Theouter gear includes a specific number of teeth, for example, 72 teeth.The inner gear 57 is keyed to the shaft 48 which drives the stack chainsprockets. The inner gear 57 includes 73 teeth (one more than the outergear), and as the pinions orbit about the larger gears, the inner gear57 rotates a distance equal to one tooth pitch for each revolution ofthe drive pinions. Therefore, the innergear and the drive shaft 48 turnone revolution for each 73 revolutions of the input sprocket 52. Theinput sprocket is synchronized with other machine drives, the stackchain 40 moves at a very slow speed in timed relation to overall machinemovement. Thus, the carton stack chain 40 moves positively and slowlytoward station 1 as the machine operates.

One of the important features of the present invention which insuressmooth transition of carton blanks 1 from the stack to station 2 formandrel pick up is a'pair of separating wheels best shown in FIGS. 3, 4,5 and 6. The separating wheels 60 bow outwardly the leading carton blankin the stack from the rest of the stack. This bowing action prevents thecartons from sticking together during the feeding operation. Withoutthese wheels, the second and possibly third cartons in the carton stackcould be dragged along and foul the machine operation. Applicants havefound that a resilient substance such as an acryonitrite rubber mountedon a suitable metal core gives the desired bowing action to the cartons.

CARTON BLANK TRANSFER STATION 1 TO STATION 2 In the next operation, themachine transfers a carton blank 1 (FIG. 2) from the head of the stackat station 1 to the mandrel pick up station 2. For successful operation,the machine must pick one blank from the stack, grasp the blank firmlyfor delivery to station 2, and release the blank in precise position forengagement by the carton forming mandrel.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 7, the preferred arrangement forcarton blank transfer includes a pair of spaced suction cups 63 on aframe 64 which reciprocates between station 1 and station 2 (FIG. 7).The frame 64 (FIG. 7) comprises a pair of fixed shafts 65 and 66 whichsupport the frame members 67-69. Each suction cup is mountedintermediate the ends of the frame 64. The frame, it will be observed,is nearly a pantograph, i.e., the top member 68 of the frame is slightlyshorter than the distance between the fixed shafts 66 and 65. In thisway, tilted blanks at station 1 are delivered in the vertical at station2. A crank 62 connected to a drive wheel 72 reciprocates the frame 64between stations 1 and 2.

Each suction cup 63 is connected to a vacuum source during transfer ofcarton blanks to station 2. At station 2, the vacuum is released foreasy disengagement and return of the suction cup mechanism to station 1.As shown in FIG. 7, each suction cup 63 is connected to a vacuum sourcethrough a suitable hose 70 and manifold 71. A cam wheel 72 and camfollower 73 cooperate to connect and disconnect the suction cups to thevacuum source in timed relation to the transfer I and return strokes ofthe suction cups. In the solid line position shown in FIG. I, thesuction cups are returning to the stack 1 and the vacuum is cut off.When the cam follower 73 rolls down the cam incline 74 the cam followerhousing 75 pivots at 76 by means of a spring 77 and a manifold 78connects a pair of spaced ports 79. Thus, the suction cups are connectedto a vacuum source to transfer the carton blanks to station 2. Acorresponding incline 740 on cam wheel 72 cuts off 'the vacuum afterdelivery of the blanks to station 2.

A suitable drive such as a chain 80 and sprocket 81 coordinate movementof the suction cup mechanism with other machine movements.

MANDREL PICK UP OF CARTON BLANK STATION 2 which are driven by a suitablechain 88 and shaft 89. The mandrel (FIG. 4) engages the carton blankwith the front wall of the mandrel in registry with the front wall 10 ofthe blank. The mandrel takes control of the carton blank and pushes theblank off the retainer bars 85. A cam surface 90 on the retainer'barspre-breaks the dust flaps 20 and 21 about their scored lines as theblank moves off the retainer bars. This action is illustrated best inFIGS. 9 and 10. The pre-brcaking of the dust flaps facilitates formationof the receptacle portion of the carton in a subsequent operation. Afterthe carton pick up (FIGS. 4 and 5), the man drel moves its carton blankinto the guide rails shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8. The guide rails includea grouping of three cooperating guide rails 92 and spaced U-shaped rails93 which guide the extreme tips of the carton. The three guide rails(preferably made of spring steel) hold the center portion of the blank 1in position on the mandrel 25 during movement to station 3. The guiderails are mounted in position by suitable clamps 94 which allow flexingof the guide rails 92 during movement of the mandrel and blank. TheU-shaped rails guide the tips of closure flaps l1 and 13 during movementto station 3.

FORMATION OF CARTON STATIONS 3-6 At station 3, as shown in FIG. 5, theconveyor 26 meets the carton blank 1 and mandrel 25. The mandrel and theconveyor cooperate in forming the receptacle portion of the carton. Theconveyor includes a pair of spaced lugs 27 which engage the front andrear walls of the blank 10 and 8. The conveyor lugs 27 and the mandrel25 fix the positions of the front and rear blank walls 10 and 8 whilethe side walls are secured to the dust flaps 19-22 at stations 4 through6.

The construction of the conveyor 26 is illustrated in FIG. 11 andincludes spaced lugs 27 and a center supwheel includes a pair of camsurfaces for controlling adhesive flow between inlet 101 and nozzle 29.

A pair of rotating arms 102 keyed to the drive shaft 99 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3and 5) tuck'the rear dust flaps 19 and 22 under a guide rail 31 prior todepositing glue on the side wall adjacent the rear dust flaps.

A pair of guide rails 32 (FIG. 1) plow up the side walls 7 and 9 of thereceptacle portion of the carton for formation of the receptacle. Afterformation, the side closure flaps are plowed by guide rails 33 out ofthe way in preparation'for filling at station 7. Meanwhile, betweenstation 6 and 7 the carton forming mandrel 25 separates from the cartonand leaves on its return orbit for a repetition of the carton formingcycle.

In forming the carton, the mandrel 25 and the conveyor lugs 27 fitsnugly around the carton receptacle as noted above. After formation ofthe carton, the mandrel orbits out of the carton without stretching ortearing the carton.

The mandrel collapses slightly as it lifts out of the carton so as toclear the carton side walls without damage. Mandrel collapse will bebetter understood from the construction of the mandrel (FIGS. 12 and13).

Each mandrel 25 has a main support bar 106 which is supported on theorbiting chain 86 by spaced pins 105. The rear pin fits into anelongated hole 107 defined within the reaward end of support bar 106 toaccomodate the shifting of pin 105 as the chain 86 moves around thedrive sprocket 87, as shown in FIG. 13. Support bar 106 hasthereon aflat top surface 106a and a depending rear member 108 which isintegrally connected to the bar 106. Further, each mandrel 25 has apivoting bar 110 which is pivotally connected at its forward end to themain support bar 106 by a pin connection 111. At its reaward end, thepivoting bar 110 has an upwardly inclined portion 110a with a camfollower 112 rotatably mounted thereon at its uppermost part and anextension plate lb integrally connected with the inclined portion 110aand extending transversely outwardly from the pivoting bar 110 tooverlie a rear portion of the flat top surface 106a of the main supportbar 106. Pivoting bar 110 also has a depending front member 109 which isintegrally connected to the bar 110. The weight of the bar 110 togetherwith its integrally associated inclined portion 110a, extension plate110b and front member 109 causes the bar 110 to maintain a restingposition substantially parallel to main support bar 106, as clearlyillustrated in FIG. 12, wherein the bottom surface of the extensionplate 110b contacts and rests upon the top surface 106a of support bar106. When bars 106, 110 are in the abovedescribed relative positions,the surfaces 108a and 109a of the respective rear and front dependingmembers 108, 109 define a carton forming surface which engagesrespective parts of the carton blank 1 as hereinbefo re described inconnection with stations 2 through 6, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Collapse of mandrel 25 occurs immediately after station 6 (FIGS. ,1 and13). As the cam follower 112 rotatably mounted on the pivoting bar 110engages a suitably positioned, inclined cam surface 113 and rollsupwardly onto the cam surface 113, the front depending member 109 of themandrel 25 is pivoted rearwardly, relative to the upright position ofthe carton 1,

' by the movement upwardly of pivoting bar 110. Substantiallysimultaneously therewith, the forward end of the main support bar 106 ofthe mandrel 25 being carried by chain 86 starts to circle the sprocket87 which causes rear member 108 to tiltinwardly relative to the uprightposition of the carton 1. As the mandrel 25 being carried by chain 86continues to circle sprocket 87, the now collapsed mandrel 25 separatesand lifts out of the carton 1 without injury to the carton 1.

' CARTON FILLING STATION 1 As shown in FIG. 1, filling of the formedcarton occurs at station 7. The filling operation may be doneautomatically or by hand. If desired, food pouches may be delivered tothe filling station on opposite sides of the machine. For example, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3,

CARTON CLOSURE STATIONS 8 THROUGH 10 After filling, the main conveyordelivers the cartons to stations 8 through 10 for closure and sealing.In FIG. 1 station 8, the leading and trailing closure flaps 12 and 14are plowed under a holding bar 120. The leading flap 12 engages theholding bar and pivots about its upper scored line 16. There is nodifficulty with this pivoting action of the leading closure flap becausethe scored line 16 was pro-broken at station 2 when the mandrel pickedup the carton blank and moved the blank to station 3.

However, the rear flap has not been pre-broken and care must be taken tofold this closure flap about the upper scored line. Applicants havedevised a unique mechanism for folding the rear closure flap.

As shown in FIG. 14 (station 8'), a kicker mechanism 121 pivots the rearclosure flap 14 about the upper scored line into position under the flapholding bar 120. The mechanism for pivoting the rear closure flap isillustrated in action in FIGS. 15 through 18. The rear flap kickermechanism 121 includes a pair of spaced arms 122 and 123, whichcooperate to bend the rearclosure flap 14 along the upper scored line18. The tip 124 of the forward arm engages and supports theinside of therear wall 8 at the scored line 18, while the rear arm kicks down theflap. This combined action produces the desired folding of the rearclosure flap 14.

Since the carton 1 and the kicker mechanism are in motion and assumechanging positions, the action is illustrated in sequence in FIGS. 15through 18.

The rear kicker arm 123 moves in a circular orbit and is keyed to arotating shaft 124 by a suitable arm 125. The shaft 124 is driven intimed relation to the movement of the conveyor 26 so that the kicker arm123 always engages flap 14 from the rear. Thus the arm 123 provides theforce for kicking down the rear closure flap 14.

Accurate folding of the flap 14 about scored line 18 requires the use ofmeans for supporting the rear wall 8 of the carton at the scored line18. The forward arm 122 provides support at the scored line. As shown inFIGS. 15 through 18, the rear arm 122 performs a pincer-like movementwith respect to the rear am 123. In this pincer-like movement, the arms122 and 123 approach the flap 14 from the front and the rear'to performthe necessary supporting and kicking functions.

To achieve the pincer-like movement, the forward arm 122 pivots at 126on a suitable arm 127. The arm 127 is fixed to rotatingshaft 124 and isin fixed angular relation to the rear support arm 125.

A cam 128 and cam follower 129 pivot the kicker arm 122 by means of acrank 130 and a gear train 131. The spring loaded crank 130 oscillatesabout a pivot point 132 as it follows around the fixedcam 128. The crank130 then turns the gear 133 which meshes with another gear 134. Gear 134is fixed with arm 122 to pivot at 126. I

g The combined action of the cam and gears is a pincer-like movement, ofarm 122 toward arm 123 as the shaft 124 turns.

In FIG. 16, the rear arm 123 has engaged the flapj14 while the forwardarm 122 by virtue of its cam and gear arrangement closes the gap andapproaches the rear wall 8. Both gears 133 and 134 may rotate by theirshaft connections to the arm 127. The cam followerv 129 (spring loadedat 129a) moves crank130 and turns forward gear 133 when following thecam surface 128. The forward arm 122 responds to the crank action byvirtue of its fixed connection to the driven gear 134. In this manner,the arms 122 and 123 cooperate to kick down the rear flap about the topscored line 18 and not the bottom scored line 3. The cam surface 128 isarranged so that arms 122 and 123 close in on the rear flap 14 as inFIGS. 16 and 17. The shaft 124 drives the kicker mechanism in timedrelation to conveyor movement so that the kicker will meet a carton asillustrated.

In FIG. 17, the folding action reaches a climax as the tip 124 of theforward arm 122 is in contact with the scored line 18 and the rear arm123 is moving the flap 14 into position under the holding bar 120. InFIG. 18, the forward arm 122, having served its purpose, is crankedforward by the cam and gear mechanism. The rear arm 123 has now loweredthe closure flap under the retainer bar 120. Having done so, the reararm 123 moves past the flap retainer 120 on its return orbit. Ifdesired, the flap retainer may be recessed as at 135 to accommodatemovement of the rear arm in its return orbit.

FIG. 19 is a section view through station 8 of the machine and inparticular illustrates the mounting and drive mechanisms for the rearflap kicker mechanism.

The fixed cam 128 is suitably mounted to the frame of the machine by asuitable bracket 136. The forward 122 and rear 123 kicker arms aremounted for rotation on the drive shaft 124, which is driven by asuitable chain and sprocket 137.

APPLICATION OF GLUE TO CLOSURE FLAPS 2 STATION 9 Referring once again toFIG. 1 station 9, the side closure flaps 11 and 13 are plowed by rails138 to an upright position as the carton moves from station 8 to station9. At station 9 during application of glue, the closure flaps areretained in the upright position by the rails 138.

A suitable adhesive, such as hot .melt, is applied along the marginaledges 11a and 13a of each side closure flap 11 and 13 by a pair ofspaced adhesive dispensing nozzles 35.

The adhesive nozzles are shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

Each pair of spaced nozzles is oscillated up and down by a suitable cammechanism. As the shaft 124 rotates each cam 139 (FIGS. 20-22) eachnozzle pivots, at shaft 140 and lifts in a particular rate of speed tofollow the marginal edges 11a and 13a of the moving closure flaps. Eachcam 139 also lowers its nozzle-3S to follow the marginal edges 11a and13a. This action is shown in sequence in FIGS. 20, 21 and 22. A cut-offswitch 141 controls the flow of pressurized adhesive or hot melt 142through the nozzle 35. When in the down position, the nozzle body 35aengages the cut-off switch 141 to stop flow of adhesive.

FIGS. 1 and 14 illustrate in suitable detail the sealing bars 36 whichlower and seal the side closure flaps of the carton.

After a sufficient dwell period through station 10 (FIG. 23), thecartons are delivered from the main conveyor to an auxiliary conveyorfor further handling.

THE DRIVE MECHANISM Each of the feeding, forming, and sealing operationsof the machine is synchronized by the driving mechanism. As best shownin FIGS. 2, l4 and 23, a main motor 150 (FIG. 23) drives the mainconveyor 26 through a suitable power connection 151. The main motor 150also drives a chain 152 for driving the rear flap kicker mechanism 121and the closure glue applicator.

At the forward end of the machine in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main conveyor 26transmits power through shaft 26a, suitable chains and sprockets to themandrel conveyor 86 (shaft 89), the reduction gear 50 and the stackingchain 40 (shaft 48), the suction cup mechanism 64 (shaft 89) for feedingcartons to the pick up station, and for the shaft 99 which carries therear dust flap kicker arm 102 and the timing cam for the dust flapgluing nozzle.

The conveyor for delivering food pouches to the filling station isdriven by a second main motor 153 illustrated in FIG. 14. Since the foodpouches 116 (FIG. 2) are randomly spaced on each filling conveyor,movement of the filling conveyor need not be synchronized with themovement of the remaining components of the machine. l

It will be appreciated that applicants have invented a novel machine andmethod for efficiently closing an envelope-type package. In developingthis machine, individual machine components have been arranged to insuresmooth and efficient operation of each of the carton forming steps andcarton sealing steps performed by the machine. Throughout machineoperation, positive control is retained over the cartons so that themachine is capable of sustained production runs of quality sealedcontainers.

We claim: I

1. In a machine for forming and sealing a carton the improvement whichcomprises a mechanism for folding along a scored line a carton flap of acarton on a moving conveyor comprising a rotating shaft, a first membermounted onsaid shaft for engaging and moving the flap down against thecarton, a second member mounted on said rotating shaft in fixed angularrelation to the first member, a third member pivotally mounted on thesecond member for supporting the carton at said scored line while theflap is folded down, and means for moving the third member to the scoredline while the first member is engaging and moving the flap.

2. In a machine for forming and sealing a carton the improvement whichcomprises a mechanism for folding along a scored line a carton flap of acarton on a mov-- ing conveyor having a rotating shaft, a first membermounted on said shaft for engaging and moving the flap down against thecarton, a second member mounted on said rotating shaft in fixed angularrelation to the first member, a third member pivotally mounted on thesecond member for supporting the carton at said scored line while theflap is folded down, and a cam actuated gear'train for moving the thirdmember to the scored line while the first member is engaging and movingthe flap. I

1. In a machine for forming and sealing a carton the improvement whichcomprises a mechanism for folding along a scored line a carton flap of acarton on a moving conveyor comprising a rotating shaft, a first membermounted on said shaft for engaging and moving the flap down against thecarton, a second member mounted on said rotating shaft in fixed angularrelation to the first member, a third member pivotally mounted on thesecond member for supporting the carton at said scored line while theflap is folded down, and means for moving the third member to the scoredline while the first member is engaging and moving the flap.
 1. In amachine for forming and sealing a carton the improvement which comprisesa mechanism for folding along a scored line a carton flap of a carton ona moving conveyor comprising a rotating shaft, a first member mounted onsaid shaft for engaging and moving the flap down against the carton, asecond member mounted on said rotating shaft in fixed angular relationto the first member, a third member pivotally mounted on the secondmember for supporting the carton at said scored line while the flap isfolded down, and means for moving the third member to the scored linewhile the first member is engaging and moving the flap.